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The California Endowment Appoints Vien Truong, Expert in Policy and Movement Building, to Board of Directors

Oakland, CA (March 7, 2019) – The state’s largest health foundation today announced the appointment of Vien Truong, Esq., President of the Dream Corps, to its Board of Directors, effective May 15, 2019. The Dream Corps brings people together to solve America’s toughest problems by supporting initiatives that close prison doors and open doors of opportunity for all. The Dream Corps includes Green For All, which works to build an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty, #Cut50, which works to reduce crime and incarceration in all 50 states, and #YesWeCode, which works to help 100,000 young women and men of diverse backgrounds find success in the tech sector.

Vien is a policy expert and movement builder who has been a key architect in building an equitable and sustainable economy in underserved communities.

“Vien will bring her deep and rich experience in equity and economic opportunity to strengthen our foundation’s work in the building of healthy communities,” said Zac Guevara, board chair of The California Endowment.

Vien has developed numerous energy, environmental, and economic policies and programs at the state, federal, and local levels. She has formed collaborations with celebrities, artists, clergy, elected officials, businesses, and civil rights leaders to advance policies and programs for underserved communities. She has advised on billions of dollars in public investments for energy and community development programs. In California, Vien co-led a coalition to pass and implement the state’s landmark Senate Bill 535 (de Leon), a law that created the biggest fund in history for the poorest and most polluted communities. She also co-led Charge Ahead California to transform the transportation sector and ensure that communities most impacted by pollution will benefit from zero tailpipe emissions.

Vien has received recognition from the President of the United States, U.S. Senate, and Congress, state, regional, and local awards for her work advocating on behalf of those most vulnerable to climate change. She was featured in the San Francisco Chronicle as one of San Francisco’s “Top Women Leaders,” received the California League of Conservation Voters’ “Environmental Leadership Award”; and Transform’s “Leadership, Innovation, Vision, Equity” award. She also received YBCA 100 which recognizes the creative minds who are making the provocations that will shape the future of culture, and was recognized as a “Power Shifter” on the Grist 50.

Vien is a first-generation resident of Oakland, where she continues to live and invest. She holds a B.A. from the University of California at Berkeley and a J.D. from the University of California, Hastings College of the Law.

The California Endowment, a private, statewide health foundation, was established in 1996 to expand access to affordable, quality health care for underserved individuals and communities, and to promote fundamental improvements in the health status of all Californians. The Endowment challenges the conventional wisdom that medical settings and individual choices are solely responsible for people’s health. The Endowment believes that health happens in neighborhoods, schools, and with prevention. For more information, visit The Endowment’s website at www.calendow.org.